Multi-port adapter block

ABSTRACT

An adapter block constructed to mount to more than one mounting configuration of a telecommunications panel. The adapter block including a housing constructed to slide mount to a panel, and pivot mount to a panel from either a front or a rear of the panel. The housing including flexible levers that provide a snap-fit connection to secure the adapter block relative to the panel in each of the mounting configurations. The adapter block providing access to cable terminations of the block in each of the mounting configurations.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a division of application Ser. No. 13/622,082, filedSep. 18, 2012, which is a continuation of application Ser. No.12/380,976, filed Mar. 4, 2009, now U.S. Pat. No. 8,270,796, whichapplication claims the benefit of provisional application Ser. No.61/068,008, filed Mar. 4, 2008, which applications are incorporatedherein by reference in their entirety.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present disclosure relates generally to devices for use in thetelecommunications industry, and various methods associated with suchdevices. More particularly, this disclosure relates to adapter blockarrangements for use in fiber optic applications, and various methodsassociated with adapter block arrangements.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

In the telecommunications industry, high-density adapter blocks are usedto accommodate the demand for increased fiber optic transmissions. Theadapter blocks are typically mounted to a panel fixture. The adapterblocks generally include a number of adapters to which fiber opticcables are terminated. Cable management of such systems requiresaccessibility to the cable fiber terminations at the adapters. Tofacilitate accessibility, some panel fixtures and adapter blocks have aslide mount that allows a technician to slide an adapter block away fromthe other blocks for access to the densely packed terminations of theadapter block. Other panel fixtures and adapter blocks have a threadedfastener mount that allows a technician to remove an adapter block fromthe panel fixture for access. Further development in such fibertermination arrangements is desired.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

One aspect of the present invention relates to a selectively accessibleadapter block that is mountable to more than one mounting configurationof a telecommunications panel. That is, the adapter block can be used indifferent telecommunication applications while still providing access tothe cable terminations of the block in each of the differentapplications. For example, the present adapter block can slide mount toone panel, and pivot mount to another panel from either the front or therear of the panel. In each of the slide mount, front pivot mount, andrear pivot mount applications, the adapter block snap-fits to the panel.Also, in each panel application, the adapter block provides access tothe cable terminations of the block.

A variety of examples of desirable product features or methods are setforth in part in the description that follows, and in part will beapparent from the description, or may be learned by practicing variousaspects of the disclosure. The aspects of the disclosure may relate toindividual features as well as combinations of features. It is to beunderstood that both the foregoing general description and the followingdetailed description are explanatory only, and are not restrictive ofthe claimed invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of one embodiment of a multi-portadapter block, in accordance with the principles disclosed;

FIG. 2 is an exploded, front perspective view of the adapter block ofFIG. 1, shown with dust caps;

FIG. 3 is a front elevation view of the adapter block of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a top cross-sectional view of the adapter block of FIG. 3,taken along line 4-4;

FIG. 5 is an enlarged detail view of a portion of the adapter block ofFIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is a front perspective view of one telecommunications panelembodiment having a first mounting configuration to which the adapterblock of FIG. 1 mounts, the shown adapter blocks being mounted from thefront of the panel;

FIG. 7 is a rear perspective view of the telecommunications panel ofFIG. 6;

FIG. 8 is an enlarged detail view of a portion of the telecommunicationspanel and one adapter block of FIG. 7;

FIG. 9 is a front perspective view of the telecommunications panelhaving the first mounting configuration of FIG. 6, to which the adapterblock of FIG. 1 mounts, the shown adapter blocks being mounted from therear of the panel;

FIG. 10 is a rear perspective view of the telecommunications panel ofFIG. 9;

FIG. 11 is a front perspective view of another telecommunications panelembodiment having a second mounting configuration to which the adapterblock of FIG. 1 mounts;

FIG. 12 is a front perspective view of another embodiment of amulti-port adapter block, in accordance with the principles disclosed;

FIG. 13 is an exploded, front perspective view of the adapter block ofFIG. 12, shown with dust caps;

FIG. 14 is a front elevation view of the adapter block of FIG. 12;

FIG. 15 is a top cross-sectional view of the adapter block of FIG. 14,taken along line 15-15; and

FIG. 16 is an enlarged detail view of a portion of the adapter block ofFIG. 15;

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Reference will now be made in detail to exemplary aspects of the presentdisclosure that are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Whereverpossible, the same reference numbers will be used throughout thedrawings to refer to the same or like parts.

FIG. 1 illustrates one embodiment of a multi-port adapter block 10 inaccordance with the principles disclosed. The adapter block 10 isdesigned for use in the telecommunications industry. The adapter blockis arranged to provide interconnection between two connectorized fiberoptic cables 12 (schematically represented). What is meant byconnectorized cable is a cable having a connector 14 at an end of thecable. As will be discussed in greater detail hereinafter, the presentadapter block 10 is designed for use in multiple applications havingdifferent mounting or access configurations. For example, the adapterblock 10 can be used in applications requiring a sliding mount orsliding access, and applications requiring a front mount or frontaccess, and applications requiring a rear mount or rear access.

The adapter block 10 of the present disclosure includes a one-piecehousing 16 having a front 18 and a rear 20. The housing 16 defines aplurality of ports or openings 22 aligned in an array. A plurality ofports or openings is defined as more than two ports or openings. Theopenings 22 define locations at which connectorized cables areterminated. Each of the openings 22 defines a longitudinal axis X-X (seealso FIG. 4). The longitudinal axes X-X of the openings are generallyparallel to one another. The openings 22 extend from the front 18 of thehousing to the rear 20.

The housing further includes a first side 24, a second side 26 oppositethe first side, a first end 28, and a second end 30 opposite the firstend. Each of the first and second sides 24, 26 and the first and secondends 28, 30 extends from the front 18 of the housing 16 to the rear 20.

Referring now to FIGS. 2 and 3, a fiber optic sleeve assembly 32 ismounted within each opening 22 of the housing 16. The sleeve assembly 32includes a sleeve holder 34 and an alignment sleeve 36. The sleeveholder 34 holds the alignment sleeve 36. In the illustrated embodiment,the sleeve assembly 32 is inserted into the opening 22 of the housing 16from the front 18. The sleeve holder 34 and housing 16 include asnap-fit connection 38 (FIGS. 4 and 5) that secures the sleeve assembly32 within the housing opening 22.

In particular, the housing 16 includes inner dividing walls 98 (FIG. 5)having ramped projections 100. Shoulder members 102 of the sleeve holder34 contact the ramped projections 100 during insertion into the opening22. The contact between the shoulder member 102 and the projections 100flex at least one of the inner dividing walls 98 outward until theshoulder member 102 snap-fits and seats between the ramped projection100 and a stop element 104 formed in the opening 22. During assembly,the sleeve assemblies are sequentially loaded into the openings 22 fromthe first end 28 toward the second end 30. At the second end 30, thelast dividing wall 98 is spaced from the second end 30 of the housing 16(at 106 in FIGS. 3 and 4) to accommodate the wall's outward flexureduring insertion of the last sleeve assembly 32.

In use, the alignment sleeve 36 aligns a fiber optic connector (e.g.,14) received in one opening 22 at the front 18 of the housing 16 withanother fiber optic connector received in that same opening at the rear20 of the housing. Details of other sleeve assembly and snap-fitconnection constructions that can be used in the present adapter blockembodiment are described in U.S. Publication No. 2006/0093274 and U.S.Publication No. 2007/0025675, which publications are incorporated hereinby reference.

In the illustrated embodiment of FIGS. 1-4, the plurality of openingsincludes twelve openings 22. Other embodiment can include a lessernumber of openings or a greater number of openings. The openings 22 areeach constructed and sized to receive a cable connector (e.g., 14, FIG.1). In the present embodiment, the openings define internal adapterstructure that corresponds to external mating structure of an SC-typefiber optic connector. Further details of an SC-type fiber opticconnector are described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,317,663, which patent isincorporated herein by reference. The sleeve holder 34 is similarlyconstructed to mate with an SC-type fiber optic connector. The openingand sleeve holder can be construction to mate with other types ofconnectors as well. In the illustration of FIG. 2, dust caps 50 areinserted within the openings 22 to protect the interior of each openingfrom contaminates.

The present adapter block 10 can be used in applications requiring asliding mount, a front mount, and a rear mount. Referring to FIG. 2,each of the first side 24 and the second side 26 of the one-piecehousing 16 defines a groove 40, 42 (see FIG. 6 for groove 42 on secondside 26). The grooves 40, 42 extend from the first end 28 of the housing16 to the second end 30 of the housing. The housing 16 further includesa first flexible locking arm 44 located at a first end 28 of the housingand a second flexible locking arm 46 located at the second end 30 of thehousing (see also FIG. 3). Each of the flexible locking arms 44, 46 ispositioned adjacent to the groove 40 on the first side 24 of the housing16. A handle 48 (see also FIGS. 3 and 4) is located at the first end 28of the housing 16. As will be discussed in greater detail hereinafter,the grooves 40, 42, the first and second flexible locking arms 44, 46,and the handle 48 work in conjunction with applications requiring asliding mount. Each of the flexible locking arms 44, 46 and the handle48 is integral with the one-piece housing.

Referring to FIGS. 2 and 3, pivoting structure 52, such as a lip orshoulder, is also located at the first end 28 of the housing 16 adjacentto the handle 48. A snap-in feature or flexible latch 54 is located atthe second end 30 of the housing opposite that of the pivoting structure52. As will be discussed in greater detail hereinafter, the pivotingstructure 52 and the flexible latch 54 work in conjunction withapplications requiring a front mount or a rear mount. Each of theflexible latch 54 and the pivoting structure 52 is integral with thehousing 16.

Referring now to FIGS. 6-8, a telecommunications panel 56 having a firstblock mounting configuration is illustrated. The telecommunicationspanel 56 has a front 58 and a rear 60. Mounting flanges 70 are locatedalong each side of the panel. The first block mounting configurationincludes closed apertures 62 formed in the panel. What is meant by a“closed” aperture is an aperture having a perimeter formed entirelywithin the panel material (i.e., circumscribed by panel material), asopposed to an open-sided aperture (e.g., as opposed to the open-endedslot 82 of FIG. 11). In the illustrated embodiment, the closed aperturesare rectangular in shape.

The adapter block 10 of FIGS. 1-4 is configured to mount within theclosed apertures 62 of the panel 56. In FIGS. 6 and 7, two adapterblocks are shown mounted, two other adapter blocks are in the process ofbeing mounted from the front 58 of the panel 56. To front mount anadapter block 10 to the panel 56, the pivoting structure 52 at the firstend 28 of the housing 16 is engaged with a first vertical edge 64 of theclosed aperture 62 (see FIG. 8). The adapter block 10 is then pivotedabout a pivot axis A-A defined generally by the first edge 64 of thepanel and the pivoting structure 52 of the block. As the adapter block10 is pivoted into the closed aperture 62, the flexible latch 54 engagesa second vertical edge 66 of the closed aperture 62. The flexible latch54 includes a ramped shoulder 68 (FIG. 4) that deflects that latch 54inward during insertion into the aperture 62. Upon full insertion, thelatch 54 provides a snap-fit connection that secures the adapter block10 relative to the panel 56.

In the seated or snap-fit position, the flexible latches 54 of thefront-mounted adapter blocks 10 are accessible at the outer sides of thepanel 56. In the alternative, the adapter blocks can be front mounted ina flipped orientation by engaging the pivoting structure 52 with thesecond vertical edge 66 of the closed aperture and pivoting the blockinto a seated or snap-fit position. In this flipped orientation, theflexible latches 54 would be located toward the center of the panel.

The pivoting structure 52 and the flexible latch 54 securely mount theadapter block to the front-mount panel while still providing selectiveaccess to cable terminations of the adapter block. For example, aselected adapter block can be access and/or removed by flexing thecorresponding latch 54 inward and pivoting the selected block out fromthe aperture about the pivot axis.

Referring to FIGS. 9 and 10, the adapter blocks 10 can also be mountedfrom the rear 60 of the panel 56 in applications requiring rear mount.Similar to the previous mounting method, to rear mount an adapter block,the pivoting structure 52 at the first end 28 of the housing 16 isengaged with the second vertical edge 66 of the closed aperture 62. Theadapter block 10 is then pivoted about a pivot axis defined generally bythe second edge 66 of the panel and the pivoting structure 52 of theblock. As the adapter block 10 is pivoted into the closed aperture 62,the flexible latch 54 engages the first vertical edge 64 of the closedaperture 62, and provides a snap-fit connection that secures the adapterblock 10 relative to the panel 56.

In the seated or snap-fit position, the flexible latches 54 of therear-mounted adapter blocks 10 are accessible at the center of the panel56. In the alternative, the adapter blocks can be rear mounted in aflipped orientation by engaging the pivoting structure 52 with the firstvertical edge 64 of the closed aperture 62 and pivoting the block into aseated or snap-fit position. In this flipped orientation, the flexiblelatches 54 would be located adjacent to the mounting flanges 70.

The pivoting structure 52 and the flexible latch 54 securely mount theadapter block to the rear-mount panel, as well as to front-mount panels,while still providing selective access to cable terminations of theadapter block in each panel application.

Referring now to FIG. 11, a telecommunications panel 76 having a secondblock mounting configuration is illustrated. The telecommunicationspanel 76 has a front 78 and a rear 80. Mounting flanges 72 are locatedalong the top and bottom of the panel. The second block mountingconfiguration includes open-ended slots 82 formed in the panel. What ismeant by an “open-ended” slot is a slot or aperture having a perimeterthat is not entirely within or circumscribed by panel material.

The adapter block 10 of FIGS. 1-4 is configured to slide mount withinthe open-ended slots 82 of the panel 76. In FIG. 11, two adapter blocksare shown mounted (the lower two adapter blocks), and one adapter block(the upper adapter block) is in the process of being mounted. To slidemount the adapter block 10 to the panel 76, opposing horizontal edges84, 86 of the slot 82 are positioned within the grooves 40, 42 (see FIG.6) of the adapter block housing 16. The adapter block 10 is then slidinward into the slot 82. The adapter block 10 slides relative to thepanel 76 along a line of travel that is perpendicular to thelongitudinal axes X-X (FIGS. 3 and 4) of the openings 22 of theone-piece housing 16.

Still referring to FIG. 11, the telecommunications panel 76 includesholes 88 located adjacent to an outer edge 90 of the panel. As the block10 is sliding inward, a ramped surface 92 of the second flexible arm 46engages the outer edge 90 of the panel 76 causing the second flexiblearm to flex in the rearward direction; the arm 46 then engages or seatswithin the hole 88. As the block is further slid inward, the rampedsurface 92 of the second flexible arm 46 causes the arm to disengagefrom the hole 88 and flex outward in the rearward direction. A rampedsurface 94 of the first flexible arm 44 then contacts the panel to flexthe first flexible arm 44 in the rearward direction, the arm 44 thenengages or seats within the hole 88. The hole 88 and the first flexiblearm 44 provide a snap-fit connection that secures the adapter block 10relative to the panel 76.

When the first flexible arm 44 of the block 10 seats within the hole 88,the adapter block is retained within an inward, secured position, butcan be selectively released and moved to an outward, secured position.In particular, the first flexible arm 44 and be flexed outward todisengage from the hole 88. The adapter block 10 can then be pulledoutward until the second flexible arm 46 engages the hole 88. The secondflexible arm 46 prevents the adapter block 10 from inadvertentlyseparating from the panel 76. In this outward, secured position,cable/connector terminations can be accessed. As can be understood, thehole 88 and the second flexible arm 46 also provide a snap-fitconnection that secures the adapter block relative to the panel in theoutward, secured position.

To slide the adapter block 10 back to the inward position, the block ispushed inward such that the ramped surface 92 of the second flexible armautomatically flexes the arm outward by the inward sliding movement ofthe block. In the alternative, to slide the block 10 completely out ofthe slot 82, the second flexible arm 46 can be flexed outward todisengage from the hole 88. The adapter block 10 can then be removedfrom the panel 76.

Still referring to FIG. 11, the handle 48 of the adapter block 10 islocated at open end of the open-ended slot 82. The handle 48 can be usedto slide the block in and out of the slot 82, and to slide the blockbetween the inward and outward secured positions. The illustrated handle48 includes a face surface 96 that faces outward from the panel 76 whenmounted within the open-ended slot 82. Indicia or designation labels canbe attached to the face surface 96 to provide information that isvisible from the side of the panel 76.

The grooves 40, 42 and the flexible arms 44, 46 securely mount theadapter block 10 to the slide-mount panel, as well as to front-mountpanels and rear-mount panels, while still providing selective access tocable terminations of the adapter block in each panel application.

A previously described, the present adapter block can include a greateror lesser number of openings 22 to accommodate a particular application.Referring now to FIGS. 12-16, a second embodiment of a multi-portadapter block 110 is illustrated. The second adapter block embodiment110 has the same features as previously described with respect to thefirst embodiment, except that the adapter block 110 has six openings 122aligned in an array instead of twelve.

For example and referring to FIG. 12, similar to the previousembodiment, the adapter block 110 is arranged to provide interconnectionbetween two connectorized fiber optic cables. The adapter block 110includes a one-piece housing 116 that defines the plurality of ports oropenings 122 aligned in the array. Sleeve assemblies 132 (FIG. 13) aremounted within each one of the openings 122. As previously described,the sleeve assemblies each 132 include a sleeve holder 134 and analignment sleeve 136. The sleeve holder 134 holds the alignment sleeve136 and is secured within the opening 122 of the housing by a snap-fitconnection 138 (FIGS. 15 and 16).

Also as previously described, the openings 122 are each constructed andsized to receive a cable connector (e.g., 14, FIG. 1), such as anSC-type fiber optic connector. In the illustrated embodiment of FIG. 13,dust caps 150 are inserted within the openings 122 to protect theinterior of each opening from contaminates. The adapter block 110further includes a handle 148, first and second flexible locking arms144, 146, and grooves (e.g., 140) formed in the housing 116. The grooves(e.g., 140), the first and second flexible locking arms 144, 146, andthe handle 148 work in conjunction with applications requiring a slidingmount, such as a panel having an open-ended slot sized to correspond tothe length of the adapter block 110 with six openings 122.

In addition, the adapter block 110 includes pivoting structure 152 (FIG.13) and a flexible latch 154 (FIG. 15). The pivoting structure 152 andthe flexible latch 154 work in conjunction with applications requiring afront mount or a rear mount, such as a panel having a closed aperturesized to correspond to the length of the adapter block 110.

The above specification provides a complete description of the presentinvention. Since many embodiments of the invention can be made withoutdeparting from the spirit and scope of the invention, certain aspects ofthe invention reside in the claims hereinafter appended.

What is claimed is:
 1. An adapter block and panel arrangement,comprising: a) a telecommunications panel having an open-ended slot forsliding receipt of the adapter block and a hole located adjacent to theopen-ended slot; and b) an adapter block slidingly mounted in theopen-ended slot of the telecommunications panel, the adapter blockincluding: i) a one-piece housing having a front and a rear, the housingdefining a plurality of openings that extend from the front to the rear,the openings being aligned in an array, the housing further having firstand second opposing sides and first and second opposing ends, each ofthe first side, the second side, the first end, and the second endextending from the front of the housing to the rear, the first andsecond sides of the housing each defining a groove that extends from thefirst end to the second end of the housing, the grooves receiving edgesof the open-ended slot of the telecommunications panel; ii) a sleeveassembly mounted within each opening of the housing, the sleeve assemblyincluding a sleeve that aligns one fiber optic connector received in oneopening at the front of the housing with another fiber optic connectorreceived in the one opening at the rear of the housing; iii) first andsecond flexible locking arms integrally provided on the housing; and iv)a handle located at one of the first and second ends of the housing; c)wherein the first flexible locking arm engages the hole of thetelecommunications panel to secure the adapter block in an inwardposition relative to the panel, and wherein the second flexible lockingarm engages the hole of the telecommunications panel to secure theadapter block in an outward position relative to the panel.
 2. Theadapter block of claim 1, wherein the first and second flexible lockingarms snap-fit the adapter block in the inward and outward positionsrelative to the panel.
 3. The adapter block of claim 1, wherein thesleeve assemblies are mounted within the openings of the housing by asnap-fit connection.
 4. The adapter block of claim 1, wherein eachopening defines internal adapter structure that corresponds to externalmating structure of an SC-type fiber optic connector.
 5. The adapterblock of claim 1, wherein the plurality of openings includes sixopenings aligned in the array.
 6. The adapter block of claim 1, whereinthe plurality of openings includes twelve openings aligned in the array.